CAREGIVER'S RASH

Well it finally happened. There has been so much stress that I came down with a rash. Did not know what it was from. The little dots were in various clusters in various places over my body and ITCHED AND ITCHED AND ITCHED. I put 2 or 3 kinds of over the counter non-itch stuff on it. Not much help.

AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS: in 2 weeks time we were in a motel for 6 days. When I finally decided to leave home, it was 95 degrees in the house and 101 degrees outside, our hottest day so far at that time. Good judgment is not one of my long suits. James was completely discombobulated in the motel. What is this place? Why are we here? What town are we in? I want to go home. I am going home; do you want to go with me? Over and over and over.

My rash got worse and worst and the itching got itchier and itchier. We finally got home – still with rash and still with itch.

AMAZING WHAT YOU WILL DO FOR GRANDCHILDREN: I sometimes get to see Megan on Tuesdays and I had missed two Tuesdays. I had to see her but refused to give her this rash. So on Saturday I went to emergency room. (A long story as to why I am between doctors.) The rash was almost gone but the itching still in full force. Saw one of the doctors and I think he thought I was crazy. A nurse came in and started asking me questions and typing on a computer. I finally told her that I thought it was a caregiver's rash. She stopped typing and looked straight ahead. Are you a caregiver? Yes. Who do you give care to? This handsome man tn the chair. He has subcortial dementia. Had it very long? For years. She left the computer and came over and took both my hands. You are under way too much stress. You have to do something. Just give it to God. I did not answer because all the things I could think of to say sounded flippant. I feel like I do give it to God and I am sure he is with us emotionally; that is why we have been able to do this so long, but I don't see God helping me get him into the shower, shaving him, being sure his bottom is clean.

She left the room. She came back in with a bald headed man I knew. ROBERT, and I threw my arms around him. I knew him because he had helped me get home health care for James. He said I'm your nurse. I was so glad. He knew all about James. He knew I was not crazy – not very crazy at least. The both left and strayed a long time.

I know they decided I had Caregiver's Rash. They came back in and she started typing again and Robert told me this was not contagious. They were going to give me a pill and a shot while I was there and send me home with three prescriptions. Thank God for sending Robert who knew all about James and his situation.

God is still looking after us.